Insulin Pens: A Safer Advantage

Diabetes is a complex disease; affecting 29.1 million people or 9.3% of the U.S. population. In 2011 the CDC estimated that 17.8 % of those diagnosed with diabetes used insulin to help treat their condition. Individualized insulin doses as well as complex administration regimens is one reason The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) placed insulin on a list of “High-alert Medications” because of its potential to cause serious patient harm if given in error. It is no surprise that medication errors associated with insulin are responsible for 80% of inpatient errors and 10% of all harmful drug errors.

A number of facilities across the country have decided to replace the traditional insulin vial and syringe system with insulin pens throughout their facilities. There are several good reasons that nurses should be excited about this change:

Dr. Barber is a Director of Pharmacy Services for alixaRx, a national long-term care pharmacy. He is responsible for clinical education and works on regulatory affairs for alixaRx. Previously he was Director of Pharmacy for Golden Living, a provider of long-term and post-acute care for residents needing skilled nursing and assisted living services. He currently serves as the clinical consultant pharmacist for Golden Living Kirtland, Ohio. Al also provides drug therapy consultations to seniors living in the community through his consulting practice, Clinical Rx Consulting. Primary areas of practice include: post-acute care, geriatrics, psychopharmacology, and pain management.

Al is a Past-President of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). He also serves as national faculty for the APhA Medication Therapy Management Certificate Program.